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When Harley came out with the Blackline, it was introduced as a stripped-down and mostly blacked-out bike. Cruising down to the local bike night, the bike can garner attention in its stock trim and it’s a fun steed to pilot on a couple-hundred-mile day trip. But what if you want more out of it? What if you want to slip away for a few days? Sure you could always sling a backpack over your shoulders and hit the road, but after 100 miles, even the most efficiently stuffed backpack can wear on you—especially if it’s warm out.
As I was thumbing through the H-D P&A catalog, I came across a couple accessories that would help outfit the Blackline with some much needed storage space. First of all whether you have a significant other or not, a detachable sissy bar comes in very handy for securing a travel bag/luggage too. And with the bag mounted forward of the sissy bar (resting on the passenger section of the seat) it provides a nice backrest. Then if by chance you do get lucky and pick up a pretty brunette down the road, a luggage rack will allow you to flip your bag around and give your new passenger a place to sit and a secure place for the luggage to rest on without messing up your rear fender. A set of leather-style saddlebags always provide a nice classic look and if you get the detachable ones, you can easily remove and carry them into your lodging for the night. If you’re more of a minimalist, maybe a swingarm side bag is more your style or even a small and simple backrest bag? Check out some of the H-D travel options we set up the Blackline with.
01 Starting at the front, we have the Gloss Black Chopped Fender luggage Rack ($134.95), Detachable Leather Saddlebags ($799.95), Messenger Sissy Bar Bag ($169.95), Softail Swingarm Bag ($179.95), Premium Touring Rolling Bag ($259.95), and One Piece Detachable Sissy Bar Upright ($259.95) with Passenger Backrest Pad ($59.95).
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02 The Swingarm Bag is available in black or distressed brown leather and mounts to the left side of the swingarm. The bag is semi rigid with a plastic liner on the inside which helps keep its shape. It has a capacity of 400 cubic inches. What’s that equate to in terms of tees and jeans? I had the same question and used my extensive wardrobe of black T-shirts and jeans to figure it out (I’m not really that fashion-conscious, black tees are pretty much all I own). I was able to stuff four XL T-shirts into it.
03 Similar to the Swingarm Bag, the Messenger Sissy Bar Bag is made of heavy leather, has a fold over flap with hidden quick-disconnects fronted by leather straps and chrome buckles, and features a rigid back shell to help keep is tapered shape. Within the bag is a built-in water-resistant polyester liner with a drawstring to keep your gear dry. This bag was pretty deceiving because while it looks small, with its 925ci capacity, I was able to stuff in two black tees, a daub kit, a pair of jeans, and a set of long johns.
04 The detachable saddlebags feature a rich black finish highlighted by light grey stitching. Leather straps and buckles hide the quick-release clips, and a heavy-duty interior backing plate helps the bags keep their shape. A simple pull and twist of the spring-loaded locking knob on the inside and the bags can be slid off the mounts. With each bag housing 950 ci of storage, I was able to fit two black tees, a hoodie, and two pairs of jeans.
05 And now the big daddy, the Rolling Touring Bag. The name pretty much says it all; the bag has wheels and a pull-out handle making the trip from the bike to your domicile a breeze. The bag has two zippered exterior side pockets, one zippered front pouch, and a massive interior space with a mesh pocket.